Best Things in Our City

Fun Facts

About Novato

Novato is a city located in the North Bay region of California State in the San Francisco Bay Area. Novato is in northern Marin County, about ten miles north of San Rafael. Novato is known for its geographical features like Mount Burdell, Big Rock Ridge, Stafford Lake, the Russian River, and ten separate open space district preserves: Mount Burdell, Rush Creek, Little Mountain, Verissimo Hills, Indian Tree, Deer Island, Indian Valley, Ignacio Valley, Loma Verde, and Pacheco Valle. Novato is home to quite a few biotech and other smaller technology companies, as well as a video game development studio. Because of these companies, Novato typically has a stable economy. Novato is also known for its large shopping population.

Like most of the region, Novato also has a strong wine association. The Pacheco Ranch Winery in Novato is the oldest land grant property in the state. At the winery, you can watch and learn how grapes are grown while you enjoy an extensive wine tasting. Novato is also home to the Marin French Cheese Company where award winning cheeses, wine, ciders, and other delicious food items can be sampled.

The city of Novato is governed under five city council members that are elected to four year terms. From the elected council members, a mayor and vice mayor is selected. According to the California Secretary of State in 2012, Novato has the most registered voters in the entire county at 29,765. Of all registered voters, 49.6% are registered Democrats, 23.5% are registered Republicans, and 22.1% have declined to state a political party.